August 28, 2019

Getting Ready for Preschool


getting ready for school
We go to Preschool in 13 DAYS!! So below is a few things we're doing to get Abby ready!

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Routine
We've been eating breakfast at 8:00am every day over here (same as school days next month) then immediately getting dressed and going potty before leaving the house. Lately, Monday-Friday we've going to a park ever since Steve returned to work! And even though it's slow moving, because I’m holding on tight to summer like a popsicle stick dripping liquid sugar down my arm… we’ve started this routine!

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Getting Dressed  
We have these bow hooks in Abby’s room to help hold and show off her outfit for the next day (after she picks it out). So it’s quick and easy in the morning to get her dress. Especially because SHE picks it out, hence less arguing in the AM on what to wear #threeanger

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Potty  
The Pre School director mentioned to me that all children are required to be potty trained by the first day (which Abby is! …happy dance!) Her point was the teachers never step foot into the bathroom to help them. So, I’ve been working hard on letting Abby do everything from start to finish (including washing her hands).

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Sanitizer Obsessed 
Two in the car, one in the diaper bag, three by the front door and one in her backpack… You get the idea. Hand Sanitizer everywhere!!!! Just to access it anytime, anywhere. Especially right after pickup from school and BEFORE we get into the car. (I do have a 2.5-month-old so maybe my obsession is legit).


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Visit & Talk  
You might of already saw that we made Miss C a teacher gift last week! Which you can find here. This started the conversation in our house about preschool and who Miss C is. Just showing Abby my own excitement through emotions when I talk about it, I can tell is really rubbing off onto her. Along with a few things like her floral backpack to sweeten the deal of “going to preschool!” She smiles now talking about it. I swear…. it’s all in the packaging to little ones!

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Exit Plan 
I haven’t started this one with Abby yet because I can’t actually do it until she GOES to school. One of my dearest friends who teaches Preschool told me to make sure my exit is short, sweet, & consistent. And that even though I might want to cry on the first day (or first few days) that it’s important to stay strong for my child and to not let the “goodbye” linger. It just makes it harder on them. Ummm… totally makes sense!!!  She informed me, “stay at home moms seem to have the hardest time with this.” Thanks P! : ) and yes, I will be THAT parent. So, I promised her I would walk my sad emoji face to the car before letting those tears pour like a PNW summer storm.   


DIY Letter hook links
Hook  ||  Letter a (Micheals craft store) || Gold Paint 

What I did
6:00am
Glued hook to back of wood letter/gorilla glue

8:00pm
Painted 1 coat (wait 1 hour) 
Painted 2nd coat

6:00am
Hung up on wall!


Has your little one started school yet? And any advice you’d like to add below would be wonderful! Especially us PNW moms since our summers don’t end until September.  And as always, thank you for reading! 

Warmly, Steph




August 21, 2019

DIY Teacher Gift || Ruler Crate

DIY Teacher Gift
DIY Teacher Gift
DIY Teacher Gift
DIY Teacher Gift
Preschool starts next month! So after thinking about Abby's first day of school outfit  last week I decided to create this DIY ruler crate for when she meets Miss C at her meet-n-greet event! 

As a public school Educator myself for 6+ years pre-Abby and Emma (yet still teaching 2 classes a week now) I remember the month of August was ALWAYS spent working! Many of the ones who do a good job and love what they do have to start prepping early. So when I recieved an email from Abby's teacher last week I knew we got a gem! Miss C I'm sure is working in her classroom right now as I type up this blog post. So here's what I did over the weekend to give Miss C a small gesture in thanking her for all her extra work over the summer!


What you will need:
1.5 x 12 inch craft wood (4x)
4.5 x 4.5inch craft wood (2x)
5.25 x 12 inch craft wood
pencil
ruler
sharpie (fine tip)
527 multi-use glue

What I did:

||  Step 1  || 
Used a "real" ruler to help measure inch marks and lines with a pencil on a 1.5 x 12 inch craft wood.

||  Step 2  ||
Went back and filled in all marks (centimeters and millimeters)

||  Step 3  ||
Used a sharpie to add numbers and cover over all marks.

||  Step  4  || 
Repeat three steps 1-3 to have four total. Then set all four "ruler pieces" aside.

|| Step 5  ||
Glued the two squared side pieces (4.5 x 4.5) to the base with 527 multi-use glue.

||  Step 6  ||
Glued all "4" pieces of 1.5 x 12 inches of craft wood (ruler pieces) to both sides of the crate.

||  Step 7  ||
Repeat on the other side. 

||  Step 8  ||
Added fresh flowers to mason jars + ready to gift!


If you decide to make one come follow along over in  instagram and tag me! I'd love to share your work!


Warmly, Steph




DIY teacher gift ruler crate



August 13, 2019

First Day Of School || Outfit Inspiration

toddler girl outfits

First time preschool parents over here! And in exactly 27 days I get to walk Abby into school for her first day! (How did I just typed that sentence...and what year is it anyway?!?!)

So even though it's only for a few hours I've already started thinking about that  "first day outfit" and photo we'll glance back on for years. I can remember the "first day" outfit being SO special as a little girl so I'm excited to do the same for Abby! Not exactly sure what that outfit will be, although the above is certainly what I've been thinking!

I just purchased this  floral backpack online for $15 and it's rated 5/5 star's so I'm excited to get it next week! She doesn't need a backpack but our school director mentioned that it's require for all turning 3's classes to bring an extra set of clothes. So a mini back pack is the most convenient for us.

I usually pair Abby's  chambray dresses 9/10x with a comfy  pink sweater like this  one. Depending on the weather we may need to add these  pink polka dot leggings or these soft and durable  shorts underneath as they have circle time every day. Plus, my mother-in-law told me you can't have a bad day wearing polka dots and I think she's right! (I haven't had one yet while wearing polk-a-dots) I also found these cute  ruffle front shoes and thought they were just the right price and style for preschool! Then to complete any outfit, any day of the week we always add a bow. A handmade bow from a mama's shop we adore and lately it's been a lot of  Tahoom and  Wunderkin because they both have great classic bows!! 

I have a few more school related things coming to the blog soon! Including a couple DIY's and as always thank you for your readership! It's so fun getting to know all of you!

Warmly, Steph




August 1, 2019

Baby Wearing || Sling Vs. Wrap

Baby wearing
Baby wearing
Baby wearing
Baby wearing

I’ve gone through my own fair share of baby products and gear as a second time mom! So a sling vs. wrap debate? I totally understand why a lot of you asked me to compare. I have the  Solly for the wrap and  Wild Bird for a sling. I’ve tried other brands and designs, though these two are hands down my favorite baby wearing products! So whether you choose a sling or wrap in the end (always based off your own life style and needs) I think you’ll love either one!

Please keep in mind before reading that all opinions expressed below are based off my own experience and that any of the proven benefits described in this post is linked back to the company’s website. 

Baby wearing

Wrap Vs. Sling

Custom Fit
Baby is snuggled as close as can be and just enough to kiss in both (which I’m sure you’ve seen over in Instagram!Each is designed to custom fit your body/baby and this is exactly how each one feels while on. I don’t think one is better than the other on this!

Comfort
I was actually really surprised to learn the sling was just as comfortable if not more than the wrap.You may be like me in thinking(the sling looked off balanced and wondered if it was at all comfortable?) I truly questioned the designed at first until I tried one on. Now that I have one, I can’t seem to stop using it since it’s so easy to get baby in and out of! In all, both the sling and wrap are equally comfortable. 

Fabric
I’ve honestly found myself feeling cooler in sling during this summer season since it’s less fabric around my mid-section. (That’s why you’ve seen me wearing it a lot over in Instagram lately!) When our PNW weather cools, I know me. I’ll be picking up the wrap a lot more since all that fabric (and baby) tend to keep me warmer.  

Hands Free
Both truly allow me to have my hands free however, I find myself bringing my other hand to her head more in the sling because it doesn't have that extra layer around the head that the wrap provides. So, with Emma being so little this season (0-6 weeks right now) I like that she gets that extra head and neck support while in the Solly. Full tutorial on this here. 

Storage
Compared to the larger sized baby wearing gear out there, both the Solly and Wild Bird pack nicely! Solly even has a sewed in pocket at the end in which you can fold up the fabric to tuck both ends in for neat storage. Either one fits into the diaper bag! 

Getting On & Off
The sling is a winner for this category hands down because you customized it to fit you and your baby at home and it stays that way all day as you take it off and on. You might need to pull a little here and there however, I find this one MUCH quicker! Especially if you're going from the car-to-store, to car-to store-etc. With the wrap it can get tricky real quick with all that fabric if you’re in a parking lot (especially a rainy one!) as you have to rewrap it every time. 

Life of Product
I’ve found after about 1 year (or whenever my child starts walking), I prefer for them to walk and or use the stroller. This is just a personal preference. The sling is designed to fit your baby up to 35 pounds and the wrap 25 according to both websites. You can wear your little one a bit longer with the sling.

Multi Use
I've used the wrap as a baby blanket in the stroller a dozen times already this summer! Although if you’re looking for something besides “baby wearing” or a "blanket." I would have to say the sling is your winner. It allows you to wear your baby front, hip, and back. In addition to being used as a nursing cover. 

Care
Remember that diaper blowout we had this last week on cake pop Friday? It took 24 hours to clean my sling after versus the wrap takes 3 So, the wrap wins on this one because it's also machine washable. Whereas the sling prefers hand wash and or gentle cycle. Then you have to air dry the fabric and iron before baby wearing again. A lot of maintenance as a mom of two!

Baby’s Benefits
The Solly wrap seems to have more research on it's product and proven benefits for the baby overall after comparing the two. If you are interested in the full Solly benefits, you can find them here Both baby wearing products however promote bonding and both I truly love using! It’s hard to say which one I would pick! I find the sling perfect for busy days and the I love the wrap for everyday use around the house. 

Baby wearing
Summary
So, yes. I do love using them both! Each product was designed and founded by women (mothers!) and they both are made here in the U.S. I love all the helpful information both companies provide on their websites to consumers in addition to the social media plat forms they give us. Either one, you can’t go wrong!

I hope this helped you decide which one (or both) baby wearing product you want. For a wrap? Solly is by far the most comfortable brand I’ve ever had! And I’ve only tried a Wild Bird sling because it seems to be highly rated everywhere by other moms as mentioned here. The Hip Baby Wrap Sling seems to be another great option (and cheaper!) which you can read more about from the Today Show here. As I always say, you know what’s best for you and your family because your mom. You’ve got this!  : )


And thank you for your readership! It’s truly a joy and honor to do motherhood with you!


Warmly, Steph